Richard Sutcliffe

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN’S search for a new manager is not expected to be resolved until the international break, according to interim chief Mark Lillis.

They have been hunting for Mark Robins’s successor since August 9. A five-man shortlist has been whittled down to just two and a second round of interviews are understood to be under way.

Neil Lennon and Chris Powell are believed to be among those interested in the vacancy along with Northern Ireland assistant Billy McKinlay, while the bookmakers still fancy Coventry City’s Steven Pressley.

Lennon had been linked to the Crystal Palace vacancy but they yesterday announced that Neil Warnock, the former Sheffield United, Huddersfield and Leeds manager, will return to Selhurst Park, where he managed between 2007 and 2010, as Tony Pulis’s replacement.

Huddersfield Academy manager Lillis is also believed to have been under consideration at Town after leading them to four points from their last two Championship games.

Lillis said: “The indication is that I’ll take the Watford game ahead of the international break, at which point we can take stock. The board and Dean (Hoyle, chairman) will do that. I sat with Dean the other day and he seemed relaxed about me taking the Watford game. We will review it then.”

Asked why he felt an appointment had not yet been made, Lillis replied: “I don’t know. You have to ask the board and Dean. I have not been in the interview process or the talks with managers.

“My focus has been getting a team out there to have a right go. And I am enjoying that.

“Sometimes it can be difficult when being a caretaker manager. But I have said all along, ‘Forget the caretaker bit’. I pick the team, make decisions with my coaching team about substitutions and if it goes well then great.

“The situation isn’t drifting on. I am not that type of guy. I came in to do my best, carry the flag and lead people.

“The international break is coming and I see a decision being made either way, whether they go and get a new manager or they have a chat with myself and see where I am with it.”

Lillis believes James Vaughan will have no problems bouncing back from his own goal in the 2-0 Capital One Cup second round defeat to Nottingham Forest. “It was just one of those things. We need him at the other end of the pitch scoring goals and he will get stronger in the next month and begin to start games.”